Therapeutic traction device



1962 E. J. TREUTELAAR 3,068,859

THERAPEUTIC TRACTION DEVICE Filed Dec. 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR.

flaw/mo (A REUTEL/IAR Dec. 18, 1962 E. J. TREUTELAAR 3,068,859

THERAPEUTIC TRACTION DEVICE Filed Dec. 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. ZIJWA/w e/ 7suz5maza 57 BY W 45% E 17% TZWXA/EXS.

Unite My invention relates to new and useful improvements in atherapeutic traction device and more particularly to a device for theconvenient and practical application of therapeutic traction to any partof the body, particularly cervical, all spinal, arm, leg and pelvis.Also to be used as an exercising device in patients post-operative andrecuperating periods, to eliminate possibilities of forming of bloodclots, to promote circulation, and strengthen muscles.- 7

The object of this invention is to provide a light weight practicaltraction device having a therapeutic value in the treatment of injuriesor deformations to any part of the body particularly cervical, allspinal, arm, leg, and pelvis.

.Another object or" my invention is in the provision in a device of thischaracter of a simplified means whereby the devicemay be simplyandconveniently collapsed and folded.-

. Another object of my invention is in the provision in a device of thischaracter of a traction head device which is'readily operable by theuser for positioning the traction head as may be desired for the utmostbenefits resulting from the specific construction embodied therein.

Still a further object of my invention is in the pro- ,vision in adevice of this character of a traction means which will exert anunvarying tension in its application.

Yet another object of my invention is in the provision .in'a device ofthis character of a specific construction so that the person undergoingcervical treatment can .be seated comfortably in a-chair or bed and beengaged by a sling or chin strap associated operatively with atensioning device which removes the necessity of cumbersome weights andpulleys.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

i ,The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement ofparts to be hereinafter described and .claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to "the accompanyingdrawing showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

"FIG. 1 is-a perspective view of my invention in its cervical form ofapplication; 7

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary detail view of the connecting member between thebase and standard as employed in my invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary J1me 3-3 OfFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detail view similar to FIG. 2 but showing theparts in their collapsed position; FIG. Sis a fragmentary detailsectional view taken ion line 5-5 of FIG. 4; 7

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG.1;

FIG. .7 is a perspective view of the traction head of :my device of amodified form of mounting therefor;

as employed in my invention;

.FIG. 12 is. a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line 12-12 ,ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the dedetail sectional viewtaken on 3,068,859 Patented Dec. 18, 1962 tachable connection betweenthe tension cable and the spring tension device as employed in myinvention.

My invention is comprised of a base 10 formed of a substantiallyU-shaped tubular piece having spaced apart legs 11 and 12. Intermediatethe ends of the legs 11 and 12 is a cross pivotal member 13. Extendingvertically from this cross pivotal member 13 is a hollow tubularstandard 14. This standard 14 comprises telescopically arranged tubularsections 15 and 16.

A collar 17 is secured to the upper end of section 15 of the standard 14as seen in FIGS. 1 and 6. This collar 17 and the section 15 are providedwith horizontally aligned apertures 18 and 19. A screw-20 is threadedthrough the aperture 18 of the collar 17 so as to project through theaperture 19 of the section 15 and into holding contact with the innertelescopic section 16. Thus the above described arrangement of partsaffords ready vertical adjustment of the standard 14. The cross pivotalmember 13 at one end thereof adjacent the leg 11 is provided with anarcuated cap 21. This cap 21 is secured to the cross pivotal member 13by means of screws 22. The cap 21 provides a raised arcuate portion 23containing two threaded holes 24 and 25 substantially at right angleswith respect to each other as illustrated. Secured to leg 11, as bywelding, is an insert block 26 which is adapted tolproject into the endof the cross pivotal member 13 beneath the cap 21 as viewed in FIGS. 2,4 and 5. This insert block 26 is provided with apassage 27. The crosspivotal member 13 is provided with apertures 28 and 29 which are inalignment with the threaded holes orapertures '24 and 25 of the raisedportion 23. A turn screw 30 having a threaded taper stud shaft 31 iscarried by the raised portion 23 and threadably insertable intoapertures 24 or 25 of the'raised portion 23 and the like apertures 28and 29 respectively and into the passage 27 of the insert block 26;

When the base 10 and standard 14 are in their extended position as shownin FIG. 1, the turn screw 30 will be in the position shown in FIGS. 2and 3. In this position the threaded aperture 24 is in alignment withthe aperture 28 in the cross pivotal member 13 and both of theseapertures are in vertical alignment with the passage 27. V

When the base 10 and standard 14 are folded, one upon the other, theturn screw 30' is removed from the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 andthe cross pivotal member 13 is rotated in an anticlockwise.dir ection.'as seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. In this position, the standard 14 will extendin a horizontal parallel relation with respect to the legs 11 and 12 ofthe base 10. The turn screw 30 will then be threaded through theaperture 25 and inserted into the aperture 29 and into the passage 27 asviewed in FIG. 5.

Adapted to be inserted into the free hollow end of the section 16 of thestandard 14, is a circular stud 32 of a support plate 33. This supportplate 33 carries the traction head 34 of my invention which whenremovably mounted on the standard 14, will extend in a like paralleldirection with respect to the legs 11 and 12 of the base 10 as seen inFIG. 1. v

Advantageously the traction head 34 is an elongated generallyrectangular body comprising a removable front panel 35, a back wall 36,a top wall 37 and a bottom wall 38. The head 34 provides an end wall.39which like the top wall 37 and bottom wall 38 are formed as an integralpart of the back wall 36. Thetop wall 37 has its one end portion 41curved downward and terminating short of the bottom wall 38 so as toprovide a mouth 41. Adjacent each end of the traction head 34 andcarried laterally by the back wall '36 is a pair'of'stud shafts 42 and43. These stud shafts 42 and 43 are preferably hollow and internallythreaded as seen in FIG.' 12..

This guide wheel 44 has a groove 45 formed about its periphery.

Removably and freely mounted on the shaft 43 is the drum of a springtension device 46. This spring tension device may be of a constructionthat will perform as desired. Such a spring tension device is shown anddescribed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,609,191, or 2,609,192.The end of this spring tension device 46 provides a convenient means forattaching a rope or cable 47. This spring tension device 46 and theattachment between it and the rope or cable 47 make up no part of mypresent invention. The rope or cable 47 is then adapted to pass over theguide wheel 44 by being positioned freely in the groove 45 formedtherein and will pass out of the traction head 34 through the mouth 41.

Carried by the back wall 36 is a pair of spacer studs 48 extendinginwardly of the housing 34. The removable front panel 35 is adapted torest upon these spacer studs 48 when it is in closed relation withrespect thereto.

The removable front panel 35 is provided with a pair of turn screws 49.These turn screws are rotatably carried by the front wall 35 and areadapted to be threaded into the internally threaded stud shafts 42 and43. As such, these turn screws 49 are both handles and connecting meansbetween the removable front panel 35' and the remaining portion of thetraction head 34.

The spring tension device 46 is procurable in a variety of predeterminedpull tensions. Therefore in its application to my invention, the springtension means 46 must be readily'replaceable so that the device may betensioned to provide various degrees of traction. This may beaccomplished by removing the front panel 35, and lifting the springtension device 46 off the shaft 43, and

replacing the same with a new device having a greater or lesser pulltension.

The free end of the rope or cable 47 may be removably attached to ahalter connectioin 50. This halter connection 50 will be in turnconnected to the connecting rings 51 and 52 of the self-adjusting headhalter bar assembly 53. "This head halter bar assembly 53 comprises anelongated bar'providing a plurality of spaced apart I slots 54 and 55.Hook elements 56 and 57 are freely connected to the unit 53 through theslots 54 and 55 respectively and are longitudinally adjustabletherethrough. The hook elements 56 and 57 will inv turn support a headand chin supporting strap 58' as viewed in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, I show .a modified mounting bracket 59and particularly a preferred form of adjustable mounting for thetraction head 34. The

mountingbracket 59 is substantially U-shaped. "I'he bight portion ofsuch U-shaped bracket 59 provides a laterally extending bearing 60. Thisbearing 60 is pro- ;vided with a fiat face 61. 'A threaded stud 62extends perpendicularly from the fiat face 61 as viewed in FIG. 7

' 610f the bearingi of the mounting bracket 59; 'An

aperture 67 'is formed horizontally through the circular stud:32. Theface 66-of the circular stud 32 is provided aseries'of grooves 68. Thesegrooves 68 are adapted 7 {to receive the fingers 63. and 64 formed onthe face. 61

'of thebearing 60 when the faces 61.and 66 are in facial relation..Awing. nut 69 is adaptedto be threaded on the stud. 62:so as toreleasahlylock the stud 32 in rela- 1tionto'the'bearing60s i A i .Bythepresence of the plurality of grooves 68 which extendl'in a spoke-likemanner about the aperture 67, 7 the traction; head 34 may be mounted tothe base 59in f a plurality of selected angular'positions.

Extending perpendicular and on opposite sides of v 70 can be readilyconnected to the edge portion 770;. a

bed or chair or the like.

From the foregoing description, I have described a traction device whichis readily collapsible. The therapeutical device is simple in operationand includes a minimum number of operable parts.

My improved therapeutic traction member may be do not wish to be limitedto the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to availmyself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope ofthe appended claims.

Having thus described my'invention what Iclaim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is: p

1. A traction device for use in therapeutic treatments including aself-adjusting head halter bar, a housing for said device, a tractioncord contained in said housing and movable relative thereto, a springtension cord retracting unit within said housing and having one end ofsaid traction cord attached thereto, with the'opposite end of said cordexterior of saidhousing removably attachedto said head halter bar, meansfor removably positioning said unit within said housing, a guide rollerrotatably spp-. ported within said housing in spaced relation with respect to said unit, means for rotatably supporting said roller withinsaid housing, said guide roller cooperating with said unit for movingsaid cord under tension relative to said housing, said housing providinga removable side panel, means for removably attaching said panel. to.

adjustable supporting means for said housing and means 1 provided bysaidhousing and cooperating with said supporting means to vary the positionof said housingrelative to said mounting means. I i a 4. A' tractiondevice for use in therapeutic treatments 7 including 'a suspendedtypeself-adjusting head halter bar, said device having a support providing abase and a telescopically arr'angedsectional standard, means adjustablyconnecting said standard to said base for positioning said standard andsaid device relative to said base and in a position for therapeutic use,a traction head,

means removably supporting said head on said standard,

'said head extending in a horizontally,spacedparallel direction withrespect to said base when said device isto V be used for therapeutictreatments, a traction cord contained in said traction head and movableout one end thereof, a guide roller for said traction cord carriedwithin said traction head, a constant spring tension device re-. movablypositioned in said traction head'andope'ratively connected atone end ofsaidtraction cord'and cooperating with said guide roller for guidingunder tension the movement of'said cord relative to said' traction head,the

.opposite endof said traction cord being removably attached to theself-adjusting head halter bar suspended thereby under tension from saidtraction head. 7 7 5; A traction device for use intherapeutic.treatments] 1* including a suspended typeself-adjusting headhalter ba'r, 7

said device having a support providing a base and a tele-; scopicallyarranged sectional standard, a'rotatable memi I ber supporting saidstandard and connectin g said standard to said base; means cooperatingwith said base. fOl l' r" leasably positioning said standard in aselected position. 1 7 d with respect to saidbase, a traction head,means removi.. 7 Z

assesses ably supporting said head on said standard, said head extendingin a horizontally spaced parallel direction with respect to said basewhen said device is to be used for therapeutic treatments, a tractioncord contained in said traction head and movable out one end thereof, aguide roller for said traction cord carried within said traction head, aconstant spring tension device removably positioned in said tractionhead and operatively connected at one end of said traction cord andcooperating with said guide roller for guiding under tension themovement or" said cord relative to said traction head, the opposite endof said traction cord being removably attached to the self-adjustinghead halter oar suspended thereby under tension from said traction head.

6. A traction device for use in therapeutic treatments including asuspended type self-adjusting head halter bar, said device having asupport providing a base and a standardhaving telescopically arrangedsections, means for connecting said standard to said base, meanscooperating with said base for releasably positioning said standard andsaid device in a selected position with respect to said base, a tractionhead, means removabiy supporting said traction head on one of saidsections of said standard, said head extending in a horizontally spacedparallel direction with respect to said base when said device is to beused for therapeutic treatments, a traction cord contained in saidtraction head and movable out one end thereof, a guide roller for saidtraction cord carried Within said traction head, a constant springtension device removably positioned in said traction head andoperatively connected at one end of said traction cord and cooperatingwith said guide roller for guiding under tension the movement of saidcord relative to said traction head, the opposite end of said tractioncord being removably attached to the self-adjusting head halter barsuspended thereby under tension from said traction head.

7. A traction device for use in therapeutic treatments including a bodysupporting member, said device having a supporting structure includinga. base and a telescopically arranged sectional standard, meansadjustably connecting said standard to said base and adapted to positionsaid standard and said device in a position for therapeutic use, atraction head, means removably supporting said head on said standard,said head extending in a horizontally spaced parallel direction withrespect to said base when said device is to be used for therapeutictreatments, a traction cord contained in said traction head and movableout one end thereof, a guide roller for said traction cord carriedWithin said traction head, a constant spring tension device removablypositioned in said traction head and operatively connected to one end ofsaid cord and cooperating with said guide roller for guiding undertension the movement of said cord relative to the body supporting membersuspended thereby under tension from said traction head.

Reiierences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS348,305 Wheeler Sept. 7, 1886 1,285,510 Wehle Nov. 19, 1918 1,749,488King Mar. 4, 1930 2,282,653 Herzmark May 12, 1942 2,658,506 Haskell Nov.10, 1953 2,827,896 Ward Mar. 25, 1958 2,940,441 Demarest June 14, 1960FOREIGN PATENTS 457,018 France July 2, 1913

